Java Tea Co is excited to donate their tea to help out their good friends Tiffany and Caleb the couple behind GWED. Now, if you aren't familiar with Java Tea Co, check them out! Java Tea is a coffee-inspired, handmade, loose leaf tea blend made with organic teas, herbs, flavors and spices, creating a drink that emulates your favorite premium coffee beverages... but they are all made from tea!

The Story of Java Tea Co

The story of Java Tea started over 8 years ago when the world was ruled by overpriced coffee and water-downed teas. Finding a healthy and flavorful beverage was simply challenging. The founder was an avid coffee drinker but constantly looking for a tea that could stand up to the challenge of “healthy-for-me” bold flavors. This is where Java Tea was born. After 5 yrs. of training under a tea guru in the art of sourcing, blending and balancing, our tea blend began to take shape.

But it was a sabbatical in Italy that birthed the nature, mission, vision, and revolution of the Java Tea Company. The espresso speed of life sounds fast, but in Italy, it is a moment frozen in time. And artful appreciation, where the consumer becomes a connoisseur of life, taking in the few minutes while they enjoy their beverage - never to go, never grande. This slow down mentality was incredibly inspiring. Made by human hands and not one-button-push robots. Small in size but massive in flavor. Taking the time to take in the moment. This is the Java Tea Co DNA. Coffee-Inspired Teas, brewed in an Italian Moka Pot, handcrafted and designed for human connection.

What is GWED?

Tiffany and Caleb's wedding is called GWED, an acronym for The Greatest Wedding Ever Donated. The idea of the GWED is to bring attention and money to 5 different charities that the couple selected. Caleb, the groom has Cystic Fibrosis. And has had his quality of life and many years added from the research done by The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and other rare disease research. Tiffany, the bride suffered abuse, depression, and other mental health issues. So as a couple, they decided to use their wedding as a fundraiser. Benefitting groups that have had a big impact on their lives and supported them through the toughest times.

If you'd like to donate your skills, time, money, or all three. Please go to The GWEDto find out how you can get involved.

The Wayfarer Foundation is one of the five charities selected by Tiffany Au and Caleb Remington to be grant recipients from the charitable gala GWED. The Wayfarer Foundation was created by actor and humanitarian Justin Baldoni. When Justin turned 30, he started spending his birthdays with friends volunteering and feeding the homeless. Over the years more friends started jumping in to help and the event grew and grew! It grew so quickly that in 2014 he started the annual Carnival of Love. The goal of the carnival is to shine a light on those experiencing homelessness. And provide them with needed resources including career, legal, housing, health, and financial assistance.

All of this is done to build a bridge between the ever-growing population of Skid Row, local residents, and the volunteers. The Carnival of Love has grown exponentially and in 2017 had over 2,000 volunteers! The 2018 Carnival of Love is coming up on January 27, check out CarnivalofLove.org to find out ways that you can help.

The Wayfarer Foundation and GWED

GWED is an acronym for the Greatest Wedding Ever Donated. The GWED couple believes that overcoming personal struggles involves a village of supporters, which is why it is so important to give back like those who helped them in their time of need. They are breaking the mold of traditional weddings by turning their wedding into a charitable gala.

The groom, Caleb Remington was born with cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited life-threatening genetic disorder that damages the lungs and digestive system. Caleb's life expectancy was only 19 years of age. He has surpassed that and is going strong, thanks to an incredible attitude, strength, love, and advances in science. His partner Tiffany Au overcame childhood trauma. Stemming from sexual assault, depression, emotional abuse, poverty, first generational living, suicide, and the pressure of raising her siblings, by turning her focus to helping others.

Today is the first of a series of very special charity spotlights. We will be drawing your attention to some of our favourite charities that are sponsoring the GWED event. Think Together is a fantastic charity that pushes a positive message through community involvement. Continue reading →

Some of our WoodSnap team recently had the opportunity to help the Dare to Becharity. After learning about Dare to Be, I wanted to use my blogging power to shine a spotlight on this amazing cause. Continue reading →

Focal Point Mission Viejo May artists have been selected and we are super excited to announce the latest group of artists to have their images printed on wood for the month of May. Every month we choose 3 artists to be featured at Focal Point in Union Market Mission Viejo. When the month is over we give the artists their prints for free as our way of giving back to the community that has supported us from the beginning. If you're interested in being a featured artist shoot us an email and some samples to [email protected]Continue reading →

Jared Fix, 28 hails from Dana Point and started shooting at the age of 16. He said, "I knew I would be a photographer for the rest of my life. I am currently living in Hollywood running a daylight studio called The LA Lofts located in the heart of Hollyweird. I have been shooting weddings and portraits for almost 10 years. I love every waking moment behind the camera."

-Jared Fix

@knowpassion

KP (Kevin Prudencio) is a Chicago raised, CA based freelance photographer and full-time daydreamer. He loves to capture all the in-between moments and people from the beach to the streets - highlighting his eye for candidness and turning little moments into unforgotten ones. He aspires to inspire, striving to create work that makes you see and appreciate things a little bit differently.

kevinprudencio.com

Michael Latham is an award wining photographer from Huntington Beach, CA.
His images of surf and seascapes have been featured in all forms of media from magazines to advertisements.

Focal Point April 2017 Artists have been announced! Please head over to Union Market in Mission Viejo to see some amazing work and give these artists your support. As always, we have an eclectic group of artists all hand selected by our staff at WoodSnap. We have something for every artistic taste! Speaking of taste, bring your appetite because there is an awesome collection of food and drink available at Union Market. Do you want to be considered to be a Focal Point Artist? Submit some samples of your work to[email protected]Continue reading →

Our Focal Point at 4th Street Market has selected its April 2017 artist! Each month WoodSnap selects an artist to be featured at our exhibit at the 4th Street Market in Santa Ana. When the month is over we give the artist their prints for free as our way of giving back to the art community. Are you an artist? Do you want to have your work featured? Submit your work to [email protected] to be considered for one of our focal point locations! You have to come down in person to truly appreciate this artists work. Make your way to 4th Street for this months chosen Focal Point artist! Continue reading →